Business
Sri Lanka spearheading inclusive discourse on Indian Ocean’s maritime region
WiLAT and IOSRC rigorously engage questions confronting oceanic trade
by Sanath Nanayakkare
The Indian Ocean Strategic Research Centre (IOSRC) in collaboration with WiLAT (Women in Logistics and Transport) initiated a collective consultative regional discourse on 1st February 2024, to address ensuing challenges and opportunities evolving in the maritime region of the Indian Ocean.
With this objective in mind, the key areas of oceanic trade, sustainability, security, ocean conservation and maritime law were deliberated at the collective consultative forum held at Galle Face Hotel.
This event saw the participation of interdisciplinary stakeholders, global leaders, experts and academics that aligned with the goal of achieving prosperity, peace and preservation of maritime wealth to benefit the nations in Indian Ocean countries.
Dr. Fredrik Haag, IMO-International Maritime Organisation Head of London Convention, Protocol and Ocean Affairs, was the guest of honour and keynote speaker, while Nimal Siripala De Silva, Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation delivered a message to the forum as chief guest.
The minister said that a united approach to resolving issues connected to these key themes would be more beneficial than making various laws which can hardly be enforced due to practical issues. He said Sri Lanka would rather cooperate with Indian Ocean countries to achieve these objectives on a multilateral level than merely passing laws.
Dr Dan Malika Gunasekara, an expert on Maritime Law delivered a lecture on international covenants and emerging challenges of terrorism and piracy on global maritime arteries. He made remarks on the threats developing in the Red Sea region and its profound trade ramifications.
Harikrishshan Sundaram, CEO Colombo West International Terminal Pvt Ltd explained the strategic role played by India to maintain peace and prosperity in global maritime trade and about vital investments made by India in the maritime industry. Further, he shared his insights on emerging challenges and demands faced by the Blue Economy.
Biju Ravi Managing Director Maersk Lanka Pvt Ltd said Sri Lanka needs to be prepared for providing more efficient services to merchant ships calling at Port of Colombo. “In the aftermath of recent attacks in the Red Sea, more vessels are opting to bypass the Suez Canal and navigate around South Africa’s Cape of Good Hope, so these shipping lines would find Sri Lanka more logistically easier as all the services they need are available here en route. Further, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh are big cargo markets, and therefore, Colombo needs to up its game in terms of swift cargo clearance to increase its transhipment business.”
He said capacity-wise, Port of Colombo is ‘okay’ at present. But when more and more ships call at the Port of Colombo, it may not be adequate. Now we have 7 million TEU capacity and today we are operating at around 6 million TEUs. So we have a buffer of around 1 million TEUs plus ECT, but we don’t get the advantage of that buffer capacity. This can get a little tricky. If you really want to utilize it, then we need much faster clearance of local-import cargo. In India, I can tell you none of the local import boxes stay in the port. So the ports there don’t get congested. But here, we don’t have that facility, and hence the need here for more operational efficiency,” he said.
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
